The case of Jokin Cebeiro (a 14-year-old teenager) continues to challenge us: he jumped from the Hondarribia wall because he was not able to bear the humiliation and physical aggression that he had suffered for a yearBefore him, other children and young people had suffered bullying; after that date (unfortunately), bullying has continued, and since the development of social media and instant messaging, victims are subjected to constant harassment, whether they receive it on their mobile devices or through destructive content generated about them. What I'm going to present to you today isn't the first well-planned and implemented prevention initiative in our country; but it is the most comprehensive. more information below.
Jokin's case was the first to be recognized, we finally opened our eyes, and they spoke without fear of a terrible problem. Today we know that it leaves traces on the person, and that it can cause physical and psychological problems even after adulthood.
Do you think that social conscience has changed? Personally, I think that it may have been modified (slightly), however, do you not use the expression 'they are only children's things'? Of course it sounds familiar to you, because we continue to hear it in our environment. It is probably an indicator of the low value it has, and that it is not considered serious, as is the case with gender violence; and it is that minors are ignored, and their problems seem trivial to us. But it is not only these six suicides between different periods that should alert us., because behind the harassment behaviors (as frequent as it is probably happening at your children's school) there are many children suffering, and a good part of them are defenseless due to the passivity of adults.
The Spanish Association for the Prevention of School Harassment (AEPAE) is founder of the National Plan against School Harassment, initiative that was presented last Friday. Be part of a key idea: 'children and adolescents, have right to attend your school safely, in an environment free of aggressions that does not cause fear ”. This entity is made up of professionals from different sectors, and also by mothers and fathers of victims, all of them very committed to the fight against bullying.
This National Plan is composed of several interventions
- Incidence analysis: using a test that will allow precise, objective and scientific evaluation.
- Awareness in classrooms, to students and teachers. It is intended that they learn to detect and differentiate bullying from any other specific conflict.
- Talk to parents about early detection, prevention and intervention in cases of bullying.
- Training for two students from each classroom, which allows them to intervene by breaking the vicious circle of the passive spectator; and simultaneously exercising surveillance tasks.
- Implementation of an action protocol to protect the victim.
The computer game Monité against bullying, as well as its support guides, which will allow structuring monthly activities as a common thread
In addition to all this, victims will benefit from training in verbal and physical tools that will allow them to regain self-esteem and confidenceThere is one aspect that I consider key, and for which I congratulate AEPAE: the Plan they have designed. allows schools to integrate it naturally into their operation, with the aim of preventing violence; in this way it will be possible to be present throughout the academic year.
At the beginning of this post, I made a somewhat daring statement, related to the modification of the collective consciousness. You will see, the most complete study (so far) carried out at the European level, It's called Cisneros XNearly 25 children from second grade onward were assessed in 14 autonomous communities across our country. The incidence rate was 24 percent.. Subsequently the Basque Institute for Educational Evaluation and Research, threw a figure that is also worrying (21%); and only among third-cycle primary school students.
Studies point to the most frequent bullying behaviors: blocking, harassment, manipulation, coercion, exclusion, intimidation, aggression and threats
The eradication of bullying is a collective matter and there are several factors that influence, But if those of us who have responsibility stop wringing out the bulge (including parents), the situation will probably improve. That is why I am very happy with the project that AEPAE is beginning to develop.
Image - (last) Betrayed.
Right to a school environment free from harassment: legal framework and protection duties
The right of children and adolescents to education safe and free from violence It is recognized by our educational and child protection regulations. Educational and comprehensive protection laws oblige centers to guarantee the physical, psychological and moral integrity of students, to prevent any form of violence and to activate protocols at the slightest sign of harassment.
This framework requires coexistence plans operatives, confidential communication channels, specific teacher training and clear guidelines for intervention in coordination with guidance, management teams and educational inspection. Likewise, students have the right to be heard and protected immediately with precautionary measures (group changes, accompaniment and supervision in courtyards and hallways, limitation of contact with the aggressors, etc.).
Educational administrations oversee compliance with these duties and have regional protocols. There are also official references available in the Official State Gazette (BOE) that reinforce these rights and the duty to notify and act by the center in the face of harassment situations.
What is bullying and how to identify it in time
Bullying is a form of peer violence that is characterized by repetition over time, the intentionality or with a power imbalance (real or perceived) that makes it difficult for the victim to defend themselves. It can be expressed in the form Physics (hitting, pushing, damage to objects), verbal (insults, threats, nicknames), psychological/relational (humiliation, manipulation, isolation) and through cyber bullying (offensive messages, dissemination of images without permission, fake profiles or coordinated campaigns on social networks and messaging).
Common warning signs include abrupt changes in mood, somatizations (headache or abdominal pain), fear of going downtown, frequent loss or breakage of material, performance decline, isolation, sleep and appetite disturbances. Identifying these early allows for the activation of the protocol and protection of the victim from the very beginning.
Relevant data and magnitude of the problem
Large-scale university studies indicate that 1 in 3 victims does not tell anyone what happens and near the 20% of the students admits to having suffered abuse among students. Among the reasons attributed by the victims, the following stand out: physical appearance, to challenge gender stereotypes and envy; and it is confirmed that the verbal aggression are the most frequent.
International monitoring on cyberbullying detects millions of cases annually globally and estimates that 1 in 4 bullying situations It manifests itself in the digital environment, mainly through social networks and instant messaging. In this context, a greater impact on girlsThese findings complement the data cited above (Cisneros X and regional reports), which already showed high incidences in Primary and Secondary education stages.
Effective prevention and intervention strategies
Awareness and culture of respect
Awareness programs with workshops, talks and campaigns help students differentiate bullying from other conflicts, namely how to ask for help and break the silence of the spectator. Involve families, teachers and non-teaching staff consolidates a climate of trust.
Socio-emotional education
The development of empathy as well as, communication skills, peaceful resolution of conflicts and cooperation from an early age reduces the emergence of bullying dynamics and promotes inclusive and respectful coexistence.
Clear rules and protocols
Un code of conduct explicit, with proportional consequences and a action protocol Well known throughout the school community, it guarantees rapid responses: immediate protection of the victim, investigation with interviews, documentary recording and follow-up.
Teacher training and support
Continuing education in detection and intervention (including cyberbullying) and access to resources and psychological support allow teachers and tutors to manage cases safely and effectively.
Technology and support channels
Schools can enable anonymous channels reporting and rely on specific tools. Platforms such as B-Resol They facilitate confidential alerts of harassment situations, and emotional analysis solutions such as Kanjo help detect signs of distress early. The use of Monité game in the classroom plan reinforces awareness and active learning throughout the course.
Community involvement
Creating prevention committees with trained student assistants, regular meetings with families and specific tutoring They consolidate support networks and break the victim's isolation.
Continuous evaluation and improvement
It is key to measure results with surveys and tests, review protocols, and adjust actions. Data allows us to prioritize actions, reinforce what works, and correct any gaps.
Obligations of the center, family responsibility and courses of action
Educational centers have the legal obligation to protect students, activate the protocol in case of suspicion and notify the competent authorities if appropriate. The victim's families can and should demand immediate protective measures and effective follow-up.
- Talk to the minor: listen without judgment, validate emotions and ensure support.
- Collect evidence: messages, screenshots, medical/psychological reports, testimonies.
- Communicate to the center: request in writing the activation of the protocol and precautionary measures.
- Report if necessary: police or Juvenile Prosecutor's Office in serious cases or inaction.
- Professional support: specialized psychological support for recovery.
As for responsibilities, the center is liable if he fails to comply with his duty of care and the families of the aggressors may be liable civilly for the damage caused by their children. If the alleged aggressor is greater than 14 years, measures provided for in juvenile jurisdiction apply; if the child is a minor, educational measures and parental civil liability apply.
If the school does not act, families can file a complaint before the Educational Inspection, complain patrimonial responsibility whether the center is public or Civil liability whether it is private or subsidized. Have legal advice specialized helps to choose the route and formalize the claim with guarantees.
Cyberbullying and new forms of harassment
The digital environment amplifies the scope of bullying. In addition to offensive messages and posts, there are now deepfakes and manipulated images to humiliate, private groups who coordinate attacks and viral memes that spread rumors and hate. Even some misuses of the Artificial Intelligence can automate harassment.
The answer combines digital education criticism, privacy and security on platforms, reporting channels, preservation of evidence and coordination with authorities when the behavior transcends the school setting. Intervention must be swift and protect the victim's mental health with professional support.
Creating and sustaining a bullying-free school environment requires social conscience, institutional commitment, living protocols and the active involvement of families, students and teachers. With a comprehensive plan like the one promoted by AEPAE, clear legal obligations and appropriate pedagogical and technological tools, it is possible to drastically reduce the incidence of bullying and accompany those who suffer from it towards their recovery and well-being.